Mr. Riggs Wine Co. 'J.F.R' Shiraz

The 2019 J.F.R. Shiraz is a blend of three iconic McLaren Vale Shiraz vineyards; Piebald Gully, Gateway and Martins Vineyard.

Piebald Gully is situated in the coolest sub-region of McLaren Vale, bordering the Adelaide Hills. Planted in deep sand over clay at the base of Willunga foothills, the vineyard is late ripening and virtually dry grown, producing an elegant and refined style of Shiraz.

Gateway Vineyard, so called as it stands just at the entrance to McLaren Vale, is located in the subregion of Seaview. The vines grow on top of a rather unusual amount of limestone rock and has views of the Gulf of St Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. This vineyard produces a richer and more fruit forward style of shiraz with excellent structure.

Martins Vineyard is situated on the western side of McLaren Vale Vale in the sub-region of Tatachilla. Planted in Pirramimma Sandstone, which is sandy loam over sandstone, the vines are relatively young, only 22 years old, and are single cordon trellis.

Components of the 2019 J.F.R. Shiraz from all vineyards were fermented in traditional open fermenters, and following pressing, finished their fermentation in oak; approximately 80% was  French and the balance American, 35% of which was new oak. Vineyard parcels were kept separate

during fermentation and maturation and were blended three months prior to bottling. The wine is full flavoured with juicy dark red berries, hints of spice, earth, tar and leather, with seamlessly integrated oak. Mouthcoating tannins are apparent but not overwhelming, meaning this is a wine which can be enjoyed now or in the next 15 years.